Blessed José María Peris Polo

Biography

Blessed José María Peris Polo, also known as José María Polo, was born on 1 November 1889 in the town of Cinctorres, located in the province of Castellón, Spain. He demonstrated early on a strong devotion to the Catholic faith and a desire to dedicate his life to serving God and His people.

José María pursued his education at the College of Saint Joseph in Tortosa, Spain. It was during his time there that he felt a calling to priesthood. Responding to this divine calling, he entered the seminary and was ordained as a priest on 6 June 1914. His ordination marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to the service of the Church.

After his ordination, Father José María Peris Polo became a member of the Diocesan Laborer Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a religious community dedicated to laborers and the working class. He made his solemn profession in this religious congregation on 12 August 1923, solidifying his devotion to God and his commitment to the mission of the religious order.

Father José María served in various roles throughout his ministry. He was appointed as the vocations director at the College of Saint Joseph, where he played a crucial role in guiding and discerning young men who felt called to the priesthood. His influence as a mentor and spiritual director nurtured numerous vocations during his time in this position.

Recognized for his dedication and leadership abilities, Father José María Peris Polo went on to become the rector of the seminaries in Córdoba and Barcelona. His responsibilities included overseeing the spiritual formation of seminarians and ensuring the proper preparation of future priests.

The turbulent years of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) brought immense suffering and persecution to the Catholic Church in Spain. Father José María, faithful to his vocation and unwavering in his commitment to serve God and His people, remained steadfast in his faith and loyalty to the Church, even in the face of danger.

Tragically, Father José María Peris Polo was martyred during this time of religious persecution. He was shot at dawn on 15 August 1936, at the cemetery in Almazora, Castellón, Spain. His martyrdom was a testament to his unwavering faith and his refusal to renounce his religious beliefs, even in the face of death.

In recognition of his martyrdom and heroic witness to the Christian faith, Father José María Peris Polo was venerated by Pope John Paul II on 6 July 1993, with the decree of martyrdom. His beatification followed on 1 October 1995, during the papacy of Pope John Paul II.

Blessed José María Peris Polo serves as a powerful example of steadfast faith, dedication to the Church, and the willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his beliefs. As a revered figure in the Catholic Church, his feast day is celebrated on 15 August each year. His memory continues to inspire and his intercession is sought by those who face persecution, hardship, and challenges to their faith.